This chapter explores how India became a home for people from many parts of the world, especially those fleeing persecution or seeking new opportunities, adding to the country's diversity. It tells the stories of several migrant communities. Jewish communities arrived in waves: the Bene Israel settled on the Konkan coast, and others near Cochin, where the Raja of Kochi granted them land and they built a synagogue. Syriac (Syrian) Christians fled persecution in West Asia and reached the Malabar coast. The Parsis, followers of Zoroastrianism, fled Persia after the 7th-century Islamic conquest; the legend of the wise man dissolving sugar in milk shows how they blended into Indian society without spilling over. The chapter also describes Arab merchants who settled on the west coast and helped build India's oldest mosque, the Siddis of African origin, the Armenians who settled in cities like Agra and Kolkata, the Baha'i community, the 'Good Maharaja' who sheltered Polish children during the Second World War, and Tibetan refugees who arrived from 1959. The big idea is that India's culture of acceptance, expressed in values like vasudhaiva kutumbakam ('the whole world is family'), atithi devo bhava ('a guest is like God') and compassion, made it a haven that allowed even small communities to keep their traditions over centuries.
India as a home for migrantsJews and Syriac ChristiansParsis and the legend of milk and sugarSiddis, Armenians and othersTibetan refugees and Indian values
Key terms
Persecution
Hostility arising from religious, ethnic, social or political motives, often with harassment or violence, which drove many communities to seek refuge in India.
Bene Israel
A Jewish community that settled on the Konkan coast and grew to become the largest Jewish community in India.
Zoroastrianism
One of the world's oldest religions, founded by the prophet Zarathushtra and based on the worship of one God, Ahura Mazda; its followers in India are the Parsis.
Synagogue
A place of worship for Jews where religious services and ceremonies are held.
Siddis
A community of African origin brought to India between the 7th and 19th centuries, whose culture fuses African and Indian traditions.
Vasudhaiva kutumbakam
The idea that 'the whole world is family', a core Indian value underlying its culture of acceptance and inclusion.
Extra questions & answers
The Big Questions
THINK ABOUT IT
LET'S EXPLORE
LET'S EXPLORE
LET'S EXPLORE
THINK ABOUT IT
LET'S EXPLORE
LET'S EXPLORE
LET'S EXPLORE
LET'S EXPLORE
Questions and activities
Try one from this chapter
Why did many communities come to settle in India?
Flashcards & interactive practice
Practice quiz · India, a Home to Many
Score on this chapter, climb the leaderboard, and get an AI diagnosis of your mistakes.
Dual AI-verified questions Real exam pattern 1 free quiz every month, then ₹9 per quiz — or a monthly plan
#1
India, a Home to Many
Start here
Social Science 10 Qs · ~10 min
Instant score, answer review and weak-topic diagnosis
Data & insights
Trending in Class 7 this weekThe chapters students are reading most right now
2
2
